FAQ: Adjusting to Deployment

Yes. If a family member needs assistance while their soldier is deployed, the VFSS team will provide assessment and referral services for community support agencies and actively work to resolve the family member's issue as quickly as possible. The team can provide training on family preparation for deployment, family cohesion during deployment, and preparation for soldier's to return.

The VFSS team supports the National Guard Life Enrichment weekends and Beyond the Yellow Ribbon activities sponsored by the New Mexico Department of Veteran Services. Additionally, we provide reintegration education and adjustment counseling for family members and veterans.

Absolutely! If a deployed soldier's children develop behavioral or school issues, we can provide direct interventions with the family or interface with the child's school to provide advice to teachers and administrators.

We will assist you in finding either an appropriate repair company or replacement source for your air conditioner. We will also try to find funding sources for specific purposes to reduce the costs associated with home repairs required while a soldier is deployed. The VFSS program does not have funding to purchase items for clients, but we do maintain and add to a robust community service list to support our clients. While we may not be able to fix every problem that arises, we will do everything we can to assist you in finding an appropriate resource.

We will see family members even if the veteran does not want to use our services. It is common for soldiers to avoid counseling and therapy because they aren't "macho." Even though our clinicians are licensed therapists, much of the services we provide are not therapy but fall into the realms of case management, education, and coaching. If the words counseling or therapy scare off your soldier, tell them that you want to get some pointers on reintegration, or coaching, or you just want to learn about reintegration.